By Emily Pearce, Content Team Contributor
The Centre for Mental Health’s comprehensive 2025 report suggested that since 2016-2017, mental wellbeing in the UK has been gradually dwindling. They reported that one in five adults suffer from a mental health disorder in some form and that generalised anxiety is becoming more of a daily occurrence in day to day life. In troubling times of political turmoil, the ‘cost of living crisis’, global warming, the rise of AI and the disconnection caused by social media, it’s easy to understand why mental health is generally declining in the UK.
If you are currently suffering from anxiety, whether this be low-level feelings of dread or frequent panic attacks, please know you are not alone. Many tend to shy away from these feelings and avoid confronting them, particularly if their feelings of anxiety do not have a solid root cause that they can identify. However tempting it may seem to bottle up your emotions, it is important that you don’t suffer in silence. Vocalising your anxiety can take away its overwhelming power and can lift a major burden from your shoulders.
My first port-of-call whenever I am having anxious thoughts, no matter how big or small, is to speak to my family and friends. I tend to lash out or shut down if I’m feeling anxious, so I find it important to let others know how I’m feeling so I can actually get the support I need. Those closest to you will be able to empathise and offer a shoulder to cry on; they could also possibly offer valuable advice or anecdotes to help you through a tough time.
However, whilst support and reassurance from your loved ones is incredibly vital, it’s also key to remember they are not trained professionals. If anxiety feels like it is taking over your life, or you are at risk, it is important to get in touch with helplines, such as No Panic (0300 772 9844), or clinical therapists who will be able to offer clear, practical advice. Voicing your anxieties to those you don’t know personally can often be helpful because it removes the barrier of shame that can inhibit open conversations about mental health.
Talking about your anxiety can alleviate the stigma surrounding mental health concerns and could encourage others to communicate if they’re struggling. In an age where anxiety is much more pervasive in society, there’s no better time to speak up and support one another!
